Zhanjiang, China
Zhanjiang: Strategic port city in southern China, linking Asia, Europe, and beyond.
Port Overview
Zhanjiang is a major port city located in southwestern Guangdong Province on the Leizhou Peninsula in southern China. It is the southernmost port on mainland China's coast, positioned strategically at the junction of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces. The city covers approximately 13,263 square kilometers with a population of around 7 million people. Zhanjiang serves as a critical maritime gateway for southwestern China, offering the shortest sea route from mainland China to Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. Its strategic location directly opposite Haikou across the Qiongzhou Strait makes it a vital center for commerce and navigation in the region.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Zhanjiang Port, located at the southern tip of Guangdong Province, is a major deepwater hub with extensive cargo handling capabilities. Its key terminals include a 400,000-ton bulk cargo berth, two 300,000-ton crude oil terminals, a 250,000-ton iron ore terminal, a 150,000-ton coal terminal, and two 150,000-ton container terminals. The port handles coal, petroleum, iron ore, grain, chemicals, and general cargo, supported by modern cranes, conveyor systems, and specialized equipment for bulk and breakbulk operations. While specific details on AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) are not publicly highlighted, the port’s infrastructure emphasizes deepwater access, large-scale berths, and efficient multimodal logistics, positioning it as a critical gateway for trade in southern China.
Container Terminals
Zhanjiang Port, located in Guangdong Province, is a major deepwater container and bulk cargo hub in southern China. It operates 35 production berths, including two dedicated 150,000-ton container terminals. The port’s annual cargo throughput exceeds 300 million tons, with significant capacity for containers, oil, ore, and coal. Automation levels are modern but not fully automated; it features advanced bagging and handling equipment. Major operators include Zhanjiang Port Group and China Merchants Port Holdings, which holds a controlling stake. The port serves as a key gateway for trade with Southeast Asia and inland China.
Port Services
- Container handling: Facilities for loading and unloading containers, including mobile cranes and wharves.
- Cargo operations: Handles bulk, general cargo, dangerous goods, petroleum, chemicals, and containerized cargo.
- Ship services: Provision of fuel oil, water, limited ship repairs, electrical repair, navigation equipment, and garbage disposal.
- Warehousing: Storage facilities for various cargo types, including dangerous goods and general cargo.
- Customs: Full customs clearance and inspection services for import and export cargo.
Global Connectivity
Zhanjiang, China, is a major deep-water port on the southwestern coast of Guangdong, serving as a key gateway for southern China and inland provinces. It connects with over 300 ports in more than 100 countries, with direct shipping routes to Southeast Asia, Australia, Brazil, and other Belt and Road markets. The port’s multimodal links—road, rail, and air—enable efficient access to the Greater Bay Area, Hainan, and the ASEAN region.
Port Statistics
Zhanjiang Port Key Statistics
TEU Throughput:
Zhanjiang’s annual container throughput is not among China’s top 10, and specific TEU figures are not publicly available in the latest industry rankings. It is considered a regional port rather than a national leader in container volume.
World Ranking:
Zhanjiang does not rank in the global top 50 container ports. It is a secondary port in China’s extensive maritime network.
Number of Berths:
Exact berth numbers are not specified in recent public data, but Zhanjiang operates multiple terminals, including general cargo, oil, and container facilities.
Port Area:
The port spans several locations along the Leizhou Peninsula, with main facilities at Zhanjiang city, Liusha, and Bohe. Total land area details are not widely published.
Shipping Lines:
Zhanjiang serves as a hub for regional trade, handling cargo (69%), tankers (22%), and some passenger traffic. It connects to domestic and Southeast Asian routes, but is not a primary node for major global shipping alliances.
Summary:
Zhanjiang is a medium-sized, multi-purpose port in southern China, important for regional trade and energy shipments, but not a major player in global container traffic. It lacks the scale and connectivity of China’s leading ports like Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, or Shenzhen.
